Manchester United secured a controversial win over Leicester City in the FA Cup fifth round. A late goal from Harry Maguire, appearing to be in an offside position, gave United the win after going down 1-0 in the first half. Former United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was left fuming while United head coach Ruben Amorim dismissed the idea of 'Fergie-time' playing a role in the outcome.
Manchester United's Controversial FA Cup Win over Leicester City
Manchester United emerged victorious from a highly contentious FA Cup fifth-round tie against Leicester City, thanks to a late goal from Harry Maguire that appeared to be scored from an offside position. The 1-0 win sparked outrage among many, with former United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy expressing his anger.
Background
Manchester United has a long and storied history in the FA Cup, having won the competition a record 20 times. However, in recent years, the club has struggled to find its footing in the tournament, having not advanced past the fifth round since 2014.
Leicester City, on the other hand, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent seasons, winning the Premier League title in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021. They entered this match as underdogs but put up a spirited performance.
The Match
Leicester took the lead in the first half through a goal from Kelechi Iheanacho. United struggled to create clear-cut chances and looked set for defeat. However, in the 89th minute, Maguire rose highest to meet a free-kick and head home the equalizer.
Replays showed that Maguire was marginally offside when the ball was played into the box. Leicester players and fans erupted in anger, accusing the referee of making a major error.
Aftermath
The controversial goal has reignited the debate about offside in football. The current offside rule is often criticized for being subjective and open to interpretation. Many believe that it needs to be reviewed and updated.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim dismissed the suggestion that "Fergie-time," a term used to describe United's late wins under Sir Alex Ferguson, played a role in the outcome. However, former United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was furious, saying that the goal "should not have stood."
Top 5 FAQs
Yes, replays showed that Maguire was marginally offside when the ball was played into the box.
The referee may have felt that Maguire was not actively involved in the play or that Leicester had an opportunity to clear the ball.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim denied that "Fergie-time" played a role in the outcome, but many fans and pundits believe that it may have influenced the referee's decision.
The offside rule is currently under review by FIFA. It is possible that it may be changed in the future to make it more objective and easier to interpret.
The controversy has put the spotlight back on Manchester United's poor form in the FA Cup. It is unclear whether they can overcome this adversity and progress further in the competition.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is looking forward to the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, which will provide his team with valuable insight into the conditions ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The rare 50-over tri-series, which includes hosts Pakistan and South Africa, will give the teams a chance to fine-tune their game before the major event. Both Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, and South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, also expressed excitement about playing in front of home crowds and preparing for the ICC event.
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam continues his struggles at the top as he departs cheaply in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand. Azam's dismissal for just 10 runs adds to his recent string of low scores, raising concerns about his form. As Pakistan chases a target of 331, Azam's performance remains critical for the team's success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
During the first one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan, player Rachin Ravindra was hit near the eye by the ball while fielding. The incident occurred when he went to catch the ball after a sweep shot from Khushdil Shah. Rachin had to be taken off the field and was seen with a bleeding eye, highlighting the dangers of the sport.
Kiwi batsman Glenn Phillips made his first ODI century in just 72 balls during the tri-series in Lahore before the Champions Trophy. Phillips' unbeaten 106 helped his team reach a massive total of 330 runs with support from Darrell Mitchell and Kane Williamson. This was Phillips' first ODI century in 36 matches for New Zealand and he has been known for his power hitting with an impressive strike rate of 95.94 in 28 innings.
In the first match of the ODI Tri-Series, New Zealand's Glenn Phillips put on an explosive display, scoring 106 runs off just 74 balls to lead his team to a formidable total of 330 for 6. Despite a strong performance from Pakistan's three-pronged pace attack, Phillips' last over charge helped the Kiwis collect 25 runs and solidify their advantage. The visitors will be looking to capitalize on their strong start and seal a victory in this important build-up to the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Despite facing over 115 charges for violating financial regulations, Manchester City spent 224m pounds in the winter transfer window to bring in five new players. Manager Pep Guardiola has denied that the spending was a preemptive move to mitigate any potential embargos, stating that the club's financial status has been misconstrued. City will soon learn the verdict of their alleged violations in a month, with potential penalties including points deductions, transfer bans, and even losing their Premier League title.
Barcelona are eager to bring back former academy standout Adam Aznou on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. The versatile Moroccan, who has also won three caps for his national team, started his career at Barcelona's La Masia before joining Bayern in 2022. Aznou has impressed during his loan spell at Real Valladolid and could provide cover for left-back Alejandro Balde and center-back Jules Kounde. Meanwhile, former Barcelona executive Ramon Planes has praised current midfielder Frenkie de Jong, as rumors of a potential move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad circulate.
Despite the excitement and attention surrounding the televised exhibition match for the Western Bulldogs women's team, coach Craig Starcevich assures that the team's preparations will not be affected. The Bulldogs have welcomed five new players into their side and their focus remains on fine-tuning their game plan and performing well on the field. The team's leaders and cohesive group dynamic have allowed for a smooth integration of the new players, a testament to their strong team culture.
Former Australia skipper and current Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting expresses surprise and confusion over India's decision to leave Shreyas Iyer out of their playing XI, despite his recent success in domestic cricket and the 2023 World Cup. Ponting also believes that Iyer will excel in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai.